Springer scratched, listed as day-to-day with sore knee

PHOENIX — A day after hitting his 12th home run of the season, superstar-in-the-making George Springer was scratched from the Astros lineup before the start of a two-game series against the Diamondbacks.

Springer said he tweaked his right knee in the prior days. Alex Presley replaced him as the starter in right field.

“Just a little precautionary,” Springer said after batting practice ended. “Just a little sore, but I’ll be fine.”

Springer said he wasn’t sure exactly when the knee started to bother him. Assistant general manager David Stearns believed it happened in the past couple days.

Springer entered Monday ranked second in the top 10 among AL rookies in homers, RBIs (35) and slugging percentage (.497).